Shonen Knife

AMG Review of Shonen Knife

John Dougan
All Music Guide

A superb collection of material previously available only in Japan on the albums Burning Farm and Yama No Attchan, covering Shonen Knife's early career from 1983-85. The purist in me has become increasingly disappointed with Shonen Knife's records, as they sound more and more like generic alternative rock. On these recordings, there is a nearly palpable sense of joy that comes with the discovery that you've mastered four chords, can keep a steady beat, and are now considered a band. Also, this material is unforced, almost carefree, and has little of the calculation that's creeping into their more recent work. Very simply, fabulous pop music.